If you are looking for the quintessential Indian Peaks hike, the out-and-back to Crater Lake from Monarch Lake offers a great mix of scenery and terrain, as well as a stunning destination. Go for sunrise. Its free. Keep in mind wag bags are required here. The 14,148-foot summit of Democrat is often considered the most strenuous to climb. For one of the best hikes in Colorado to get a flavor of the whole state, you need this hike It is located in White River National Park and the Mayflower Lake and Mohawk Lakes trail offers one of the best hikes. TheDecalibron Looptraverses over fourColorado 14ersin Pike National Forest located near the mountain town of Alma. You will be rewarded for your efforts with scenic views to the south toward the distinctive, slanted rock formations of Red Rocks. Located inside Rocky Mountain National Park outside of the town of Estes Park. There are two main lakes to visit on the ice lake basin trail hike. Elevation: 246 feet. Be on the lookout for mountain goats in the summer. Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock). Location: Northern front range. Location: I-70 corridor, a little under 3-hour drive from Denver. Distance: 14.5 milesElevation gain: 4,911 feetDifficulty: extremely difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is not a hike to be taken lightly. The Sharkstooth Trail is an excellent way to tour this lonely chain of distinct peaks. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock). Not only is it a popular backpacking route in Colorado, but this hike will take you around 4 hours to complete and will take you past Timberline Falls by way of Glacier Gorge Trail. This is one of the best fall hikes in Colorado that doesnt get smashed with people. Or you can grab a pair of snowshoes or skis to explore the snow-covered trails of the higher elevations. The easiest thing you can do to prevent altitude sickness is drink water and make sure you do not ascent too much in one day. Become educated on the topic, and be sure to keep an eye on those hiking with you. South Colony Lakes holds a special place in my heart. The towering red rock formations of Garden of the Gods create a memorable backdrop for this easily accessible hike located minutes from downtown Colorado Springs. A series of steep and rocky switchbacks will take you to the lake. Distance: 8.9 milesElevation gain: 2,286 feetDifficulty: Moderate to difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This trail mostly follows a road and requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to reach the upper trailhead. A stunning hike near Glenwood Springs (also declared a National Natural Landmark), Hanging Lake features incredible alpine views and a fascinating trek through the rugged wilderness. Looking east from this vantage point gives you a view of downtown Denver. The trail follows along the North Fork of the Crystal River until climbing over Frigid Air Pass. Acclimatize properly. It is a good idea to look into purchasing a mode of communication for emergencies such as a SPOT or a Garmin Inreach. When planning your trip, keep in mind that parking can be scarce at the eastern trailheads, especially in the summer. Hikers may opt for the trail or service road (shorter) to reach the lakes. While the park is popular enough that you wont have the trails to yourself, there are miles of trails to explore so you can pick and choose your own route to either escape the crowds or follow the well-used paths to the popular viewpoints. This spectacular out-and-back starts from Bear Lake before climbing to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake, two of the jewels of Rocky Mountain National Park. Mountains above 14,000 feet are known as 14ers. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. REI member since 2018. If youre just getting into summiting mountains, then head up to the top of Mount Sniktau. The trail to the lake isnt particularly difficult, but it is long. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, Yellow and pink varieties of wildflowers bloom along the alpine tundra as the creek waters gently tumble. That being said, for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness who are acclimated to the altitude and prepared with the Ten Essentials, Quandary makes a great first 14er to tackle. Photo Credit: tupungato (iStock). Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). Be sure to remember to bring $5 for the parking fee at this location. This hike is in Rocky Mountain National Park about 15 minutes from Estes Park. With a 14.5 mile round trip and over 5,000 ft elevation gain, this peak will challenge you in every way possible, but the end reward will be absolutely priceless. Getting there is fairly easy with a relatively short hike that passes through twoother alpine lakes, including Nymph and Dream. This area will include hiking areas south of Denver down to Colorado Springs. This is hike is incredibly difficult and should only be attempted by very experienced hikers. For an easy, mellow hike, head to the Interlaken Trail. The turquoise coloring is unlike anything else in the state. The park is easily accessed off of County Road 93 and has several large parking areas with ample room. Distance: 5.4 milesElevation Gain: 1,072Difficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. Royal Arch is one of the most popular local trails, and provides some of the best views in the area! The entire trail takes around 1 month to complete as a thru-hike. Get outside this season with the best hiking trails in Colorado. The trail reaches its peak elevation around 7,800 feet at 2.5 miles with noteworthy views to the south. Maroon Bells, near Aspen, are two of Colorado's most famous mountains and are well known for their views. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation gain: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. The 14,259 ft Longs Peak is one of the most climbed 14ers in Colorado thanks to its convenient location. This is a great way to have a visual look at all of the trails in the state. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. MOUNT ELBERT 5. Season: Memorial Day through mid-October. While the natural wonder can be reached by car, a quick trek will also take you there. The well-maintained trails and paved paths that wind through the park make this a family- and beginner-friendly destination. For an added bonus, time your hike to catch the sunrise or sunset. Difficulty: Easy. Its rugged and long and is only hike on this list that requires a helmet. BISON PEAK Bison Peak is considered one of Colorado's best trails for the early summer months. This could be the most popular fall hike in Colorado. With any season, conditions can be variable. This trail is accessible in the winter, but due to road closures, it would add upwards of 7 miles each way. The hiking in this area is challenging, but the views are stunning. Because as you make your way to this idyllic waterfall, the incline picks up and can feel really intense. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Plus, many of the states most scenic byways are open so you can definitely go for a lovely drive either before or after your hike. We use affiliate links in our content andmay receive a small commission on your purchases. Enjoy the breathtaking views, and if you are lucky, youll see some mountain goats! SIGN UP: Free daily newsletter + 20% off in the OTC gear shop, Start your hike at the East Portal Trailhead near the Moffat Tunnel. Non-cotton clothing. The Blue Lakes Trail is made up of trails leading to Lower Blue Lake, Upper Blue Lake, and the Blue Lakes Pass. Garden of the Gods is not only one of the most scenic places in Colorado, but the trails that trace through this landscape also make up some of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado too. : Estes Park, CO, in Rocky Mountain National Park, 50 miles northwest of Boulder, : A tour of three picturesque lakes in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, With more than 300 miles of trails and some of the best-known scenery in the state, Rocky Mountain National Park is a well-loved hiking destination for locals and visitors alike. From here, follow the Buckskin Pass Trail back to the trailhead to complete the loop. If you are looking for the quintessential Indian Peaks hike, the out-and-back to Crater Lake from Monarch Lake offers a great mix of scenery and terrain, as well as a stunning destination. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. Hikers can bag four peaks in a single day trek including Mount Bross (14,172 feet), Mount Lincoln (14,286 feet), Mount Cameron (14,238 feet) and Mount Democrat (14,148 feet). As was mentioned above, some roads are closed for portions of the year, it is important to check on those closures. a good rule of thumb is to be below treeline by noon. Photo Credit: Stephen Martin, The trailhead to Hanging Lake is located off of I-70, complete with a small parking lot and rest stop bathroom. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. In the summer, youll find folks heading up St. Marys glacier to go skiing, or some will even jump into the glacial-fed lake! Afternoon thunderstorms are dangerous and kill hikers each year. This is a great resource released by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Photo Credit: kwiktor (iStock). These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. Photo Credit: James Harris Photography, While exploring American Basin, add Sloan Lake to your bucket list. Photo Credit: James Walton. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. Easily one of the most beautiful places in Colorado, Maroon Bells is home to some of the best hikes in Aspen. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. Distance: 8.2 milesElevation Gain: 2,870Difficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This hike becomes impassible in winter due to avalanche terrain and steep ice. You can hike the loop in either direction, but by hiking counterclockwise, youll tackle the two highest passes first. There are many different items one should bring hiking while in Colorado. Local Tip: If you love peak bagging check out Grays and Torreys Peak, two famous Colorado 14ers nearby. The city has narrowed down a new nature center in this area. Come spring, the trail explodes in color. Longs Peak (Estes Park) Every peak bagger should add the 14,259-foot summit of Longs Peak to their bucket list. From the Bear Lake Trailhead, start on the Dream Lake Trail. Peak baggers up for the challenge can also summit Kit Carson and Challenger Point accessed along this same trail. After completing the Palmer Trail, you will turn briefly onto. Just try and visit at an off-peak time since this is a popular hike through the park. As the slope increases, you will climb toward the ponderosa pines and wooded slopes of the Boulder foothills. At this peaceful spot, you can catch a glimpse of Longs Peak as well as the distinct summit of Hallett Peak. Attempted by very experienced hikers you to the Lake the snow-covered trails of the best hikes in Colorado #! Lakes Pass Lake isnt particularly difficult, but the views are stunning explore the snow-covered trails the! 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